2009 - 2014 F-150

6.5 vs. 5.5 foot bed

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  #46  
Old 05-27-2009 | 11:04 PM
L8 APEX's Avatar
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I am already choking up at the idea of selling my F250 for an F150. I have used it to do so many things. Another 6.5ft bed trip. yes I could haul a trailer but we all know they are not as reliable tire, bearings, fuel economy etc..

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  #47  
Old 05-28-2009 | 02:53 AM
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Whatever bed configuration you choose, just don't get an extended cab with the 5.5 ft. bed. I'm sorry but I just can't get used to seeing that.
 
  #48  
Old 05-28-2009 | 08:37 AM
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Originally Posted by JohnBoy88
Whatever bed configuration you choose, just don't get an extended cab with the 5.5 ft. bed. I'm sorry but I just can't get used to seeing that.
That configuration is only available in the Raptor edition any more.
 
  #49  
Old 05-28-2009 | 04:18 PM
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I'm going to be in the minority here...but 5.5' FTW! It really depends on what you are planning on doing with the truck and if I was using it to haul on a daily basis I'd probably go with the longer bed/wheelbase. But for me, I do occaisional Home Depot runs and with the bed extender/tailgate down it easily fits my CR450X for the off roading stuff. If it is a "looks" question, I really think the 5.5 looks much better and the truck looks more balanced...plus with the extra 6" cab stretch the wheelbase is already long enough...no need for me to be adding another foot to the overall length and another 12" to the wheelbase (144.4" vs. 156.5")
 
  #50  
Old 05-29-2009 | 08:19 AM
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Originally Posted by L8 APEX
Think my prospective new F150 will tote my 800lb ATV in the bed and my 24ft trailer with drag truck in tow?
Um, no way. You could be over GVWR with you, a full tank of fuel, and that 800 pounds ATV in the bed and you have not added the trailer tongue weight. Do you plan to drive to the mountains often? Trade a PSD for a gasser?
 
  #51  
Old 05-29-2009 | 09:24 AM
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Originally Posted by APT
Um, no way. You could be over GVWR with you, a full tank of fuel, and that 800 pounds ATV in the bed and you have not added the trailer tongue weight. Do you plan to drive to the mountains often? Trade a PSD for a gasser?
Depends more on what F150 he will get over anything. If he gets a loaded platinum then he def aint gonna be able to do that but a truck with around a 2000lb payload he would be fine.
 
  #52  
Old 05-29-2009 | 11:27 AM
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That's why I said "could."
Even so, 1500 pounds of payload (are there any Screws with 1500 pounds of payload?) he'll probably be over GVWR.

800 pounds in the bed (anything besides the ATV to add to that?)
750 pounds of tongue weight from 10% of 24' trailer with even a 3000 pound vehicle (how much does this race truck weigh?)
driver, full tank of fuel, other passengers, etc.

This is best case, because a race truck could weigh 5000 pounds, with 20% trailer tongue weight, and he takes (4) 200 pounds buddies in the cab.

Oh, maybe he does not want a Screw. Only with the heavy duty payload package (8200GVWR) which is not available on the Screw and limited trim levels on reg and supercabs.
 

Last edited by APT; 05-29-2009 at 11:39 AM.
  #53  
Old 05-29-2009 | 11:02 PM
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Most of these trucks have about a 1500-2000 pound payload rating. He wound not be over loaded with a ATV, gear and a few people. 3/4 tons get up in the 2800-3200 pound payload range. There is a F150 with the heavy payload pkg that has somthing like a 3100 pound rating.

Here is link to the pay load ratings. I am little suprised at some of them. I swear some of those rating have dorpped a little with the new body style trucks. http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/f150/features/specs/
 

Last edited by cc1999; 05-29-2009 at 11:13 PM.
  #54  
Old 05-30-2009 | 12:16 AM
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Originally Posted by cc1999
Most of these trucks have about a 1500-2000 pound payload rating. He wound not be over loaded with a ATV, gear and a few people. 3/4 tons get up in the 2800-3200 pound payload range. There is a F150 with the heavy payload pkg that has somthing like a 3100 pound rating.

Here is link to the pay load ratings. I am little suprised at some of them. I swear some of those rating have dorpped a little with the new body style trucks. http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/f150/features/specs/
Those payload ratings are for base model trucks (XLs with only basic options). Once you go up in trim level and add options, it will decrease your payload. You can only get an accurate payload rating by going by the sticker on the driver's door of the exact truck you want. For instance, the payload on a fully loaded Platinum or KR with the lowest gear ratio possible can be less than 900lbs. A well equipped FX4 Screw is probably anywhere from 1100lbs to 1200lbs. On the other hand, an XL Screw with a 5.4L and 3.73's will have its payload rating at or around 1500lbs.
 
  #55  
Old 05-30-2009 | 01:26 AM
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Well my o6 was a 6.5 my 09 is a 5.5 I use the box to haul everyday. So far so good . I find having a sliding rear window has helped me alot more then my 06 solid rear window thats the biggest difference box really has no affect for me. I liked the looks of my long 06 but I'm liking the 5.5 with the longer cab hmm also parrelle parking is a bit easier but that could be the camera too lol
 
  #56  
Old 05-30-2009 | 02:58 AM
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Originally Posted by APT
That's why I said "could."
Even so, 1500 pounds of payload (are there any Screws with 1500 pounds of payload?) he'll probably be over GVWR.
Mine's 43 lbs shy of that at 1457. 06 Screw FX4

As mentioned in this thread, if I need to haul I use a trailer. Mainly because 98% of the stuff I haul to where I'm going needs to be locked up overnight when it gets there. I can still throw the boys bike and gear in the back for practices. It's not JUST a work truck. It's a play truck, too. You know for us "soccer Dads" too look cool in.
 
  #57  
Old 05-30-2009 | 03:27 PM
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I am afraid the F150 is more of a fancy city truck with a bed for groceries and furniture. I don't think it will do the work I would like to do. I did think about getting a V10 F250, I just hate to have a gasser super duty. This FX4 I am borrowing for the weekend shows 1188 capacity. That would get used up on people and gear. We go to the mountains 2-3 times a year and the trailer is at 92-9500 then. I assumed watching the F150 commercials showing 11,300 that I would only be using 75-80% of the truck's capacity and it was safe. The 11,300 is very misleading at this juncture. It is a tough choice between the two and about 12 grand in price...
 
  #58  
Old 05-31-2009 | 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted by L8 APEX
I am afraid the F150 is more of a fancy city truck with a bed for groceries and furniture. I don't think it will do the work I would like to do. I did think about getting a V10 F250, I just hate to have a gasser super duty. This FX4 I am borrowing for the weekend shows 1188 capacity. That would get used up on people and gear. We go to the mountains 2-3 times a year and the trailer is at 92-9500 then. I assumed watching the F150 commercials showing 11,300 that I would only be using 75-80% of the truck's capacity and it was safe. The 11,300 is very misleading at this juncture. It is a tough choice between the two and about 12 grand in price...
They do need to make it more clear to people what they can really carry. I am right on my limit with just me in the truck and my trailer in tow which is about 8000lb but all the manufacturers do the same thing. The crazy thing is even Fords lowest tow rating is higher than Dodge's highest rating.
 
  #59  
Old 05-31-2009 | 10:21 PM
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From: Phila., PA
hmmm.....

Originally Posted by stormtech
After reading through this thread a couple times, I felt the need to comment on another aspect of the bed size which is wheelbase.

I've owned 2 different wheelbase F-150's on three different configurations of cab/bed size.

Scab w/6.5 bed - 145" WB
Scab w/5.5 bed - 133" WB
Screw w/5.5 bed - 145" WB
I've also driven a Screw w/6.5 bed - 157" WB

My daily drive in the winter takes me 42 miles over mountains - all paved roads - that are very poorly maintained. I will drive in anything from 1/2" slush to 8" snow on a regular basis.

I find that the shorter wheelbase trucks perform better than the longer as far as traction/handling is concerned.

Since my latest purchase, I absolutely wanted a Screw, I went with the 5.5 bed mostly because of trying to keep the wheelbase as short as possible.

I guess my point here is that depending on your cab configuration, your bed size will also determine your wheelbase - and the wheelbase was a prime consideration for me.

Sure, I'd love to have a 6.5 bed, but bought a 5.5 to keep the wheelbase down.
What he said.....I surf fish ALOT and need the mobility on the sand. My 08' is an extended cab with the 5.5' bed and IS NOT as good as my 02'(5.5' bed) with the Reg. cab was on sand O-R snow. Short wheelbase always for me, guess it comes down to personal needs. Looks like I'll be checking out the Raptor in a few years when I upgrade.

 
  #60  
Old 06-01-2009 | 08:15 AM
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L8, why do you need to replace your current truck? Can you hold onto it a couple more years and replace it with the all new 2012 (or whenever it is redesigned) model?

9000 pounds of trailer is not 1/2 ton truck duty IMO on flat land, let alone mountains. You'll be sorely disappointed in its performance.

MXracer, I'm a suburbanite myself and my 2003 Screw has close to 1500 pounds payload capacity as well. I've got 2 child seats in the back seat and will have another in about a month, so my truck will see more family duty than work duty. As I would like to someday tow an RV with my family, I am leaning more towards a 3/4 ton truck with the payload limitations of the 2009 Suprecrew. Wish there was a Crew cab 5.5' bed in the 3/4 ton trucks.
 

Last edited by APT; 04-20-2010 at 02:07 PM.



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